Brewarrina Shire lobbys RMS for better agency deal

The Brewarrina Shire is leading a campaign calling for a better deal for western councils running Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) agencies.

General Manager Rod Shaw says council took on the local RMS office several years ago after it was touted for closure and has been trying to negotiate a new funding deal for 18 months.

He says the council is paid for each RMS transaction it conducts, but due to literacy and numeracy issues in the region, staff often have to spend long periods with customers.

"There are some 25 RMS agencies conducted by councils on behalf of the RMS through the western and central areas of the west in New South Wales and we're trying to garner support from each of those councils to conduct a campaign to get the RMS to change their payment methods," he said.

The Brewarrina Shire Council has accused the Roads and Maritime Services of not paying it fairly to run its local agency.

"We just want to get a deal which pays for itself basically," Mr Shaw said.

"It's a service we're providing on behalf of the state government, and if we weren't here and the RMS had to run its own agency the cost would be around $25,000 more than we are receiving from them for conducting that service."

Mr Shaw says council will not withdraw RMS services and will continue negotiations after the current payment agreement expires in June.